Lighting the Christ candle
The time of waiting is over; the Christ child is born. Now we light the Christ candle to remind us that all of God’s gifts – hope, peace, joy and love – are to be found in God’s greatest gift, Jesus, who is Emmanuel, God with us, the fullest revelation of divine love lived out in the midst of human limitations.
Let’s pray: Generous God, we thank you for the gift of your Son, born of the Holy Spirit and of Mary. In him is all your grace, through him all your compassion.
As the light shines from these candles, so may the light of Jesus shine within our hearts. Help us to make your church, this gathered body of Christ, the light of the world. We ask in the name of the One born in Bethlehem. Amen.
Call to worship
The Lord be with you and also with you.
God is here, and we are here to worship God.
In our darkness: you are the God of light.
In our despair: you are the God of hope.
In our sadness: you are the God of joy.
In our anxiety: you are the God of peace.
In our heartache: you are the God of love.
We worship you now: God of everyone! Amen.
Opening Responses
God of birth and being, we come to you hungry for the joy of your presence within us. May your love be born in us each day.
God of light and life, we come to you shadowed and shuttered. May your light shine into our darkest days.
God of mystery, God of community, God of all, we come to you in quiet awe, drawn into your life. Open our hearts to receive the gifts of this season.
May your peace fill us and all the world.
Born this happy morning! A musical dance celebration
A Christmas Poem
God, I wait for so much more than Christmas, more than the miraculous birth: I await my own birth. As you poured yourself into this world, and it was never the same again, pour yourself into me, and change me forever. Birth your light in me, your Word made flesh in me, Set me to your purposes and sustain me in your way. Make me a living sign of your coming, a vessel of your presence, an instrument of your delight. I open my heart to you. Come, and make me your holy one. ~ Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Story time
A bit of fun and games
Christmas Day prayers
God of creation, shaper of seas and stars of planets and of people,
Emmanuel, God with us, gentle our hands as we take and touch all that you have made and hold dear.
God, born in Bethlehem, gurgling, crying laid in a manger
Emmanuel, God with us, walk alongside us as we learn and grow into the fullness of this life you give us.
God, breath of the universe, flickering, dancing in the candle flame,
Emmanuel, God with us, inspire our dreams and broaden our vision as we journey together in faith and hope.
God, Emmanuel, amongst us, within us
We bring you the gift of our hearts and lives this day, sharing in the joy of life together. May we who have received your loving kindness be a blessing and light to all.
The Lord’s prayer
Blessing
May the blessing of the celebration and story of love be upon us and inspire our own living and loving.
The first Candle is extinguished
May the blessing of joyful connections be upon us
And move us to delight in our differences.
The second Candle is extinguished
May the blessing of hope be upon us and lead us onward into the New Year and fullness of life.
The third Candle is extinguished
May the blessing of peace be upon us and draw us towards wholeness and justice.
The fourth Candle is extinguished
And may the Faithful, Joyful Living God bless us and keep us this day and evermore.
Amen.
The Christ Candle is extinguished
